One of Hillcrest's cornerstone principles upholds the value of Personal Integrity. It is fitting, therefore, that while most of our SLC students were competing admirably at the SLC Swimming Carnival, a group of enthusiastic individuals embraced the opportunity to participate in the Griffith University-sponsored Integrity2019 conference in Brisbane.
This conference brought together students from Years 9 - 12 from an array of Southeast Queensland schools, with the view to expose several of the world’s greatest contemporary challenges, and to workshop possible responses from those in attendance. Big-picture topics such as free speech and censorship, climate change and the environment, repressive regimes, human displacement, happiness, and technological disruption, were all among those discussed.
Our students focussed their attention on investigating 'free speech' issues, and explored the grey areas around whether offensive speech necessarily constitutes hate speech, and at what point should statements and solicitations for action be deemed worthy of censorship. A topic that is taboo by its very nature, nevertheless aroused passionate mock debates and discussion from the group.
No doubt, these students, like many other Hillcrest future leaders, will make their positive impact felt as they move from school into broader life experience, and having experiences such as the Integrity2019 Conference infused into aspects of their skillset will prepare them to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges with confidence and grace.